Project Description:
Med-Tox Northwest provided industrial hygiene services as part of on-going mining operations at this remote location above the Arctic Circle in Alaska. Teck Alaska, Inc. operates the Red Dog zinc and-lead mine located in Northwest Alaska, near Kotzebue; one of the world’s largest producers of zinc concentrate. Due to arctic weather conditions, the concentrate is stored in large buildings at the port facility (Port Site) 46 miles away on the Chuchki Sea and is typically shipped to customers between July and October each year. Employees at the Red Dog mine and Port Site are exposed to heavy metals and silica contaminants as part of their work activities.
Med-Tox Northwest provided the following industrial hygiene services:
• Collected thirty eight samples for potential lead and cadmium exposure; 16 of these were employee samples and twenty-two environmental or area samples. Employee samples were collected from each employees’ breathing zone (within 12-inches of the mouth/nose) while performing work activities and environmental samples collected at approximately five-foot elevation at a stationary location.
• Nine samples were collected for potential silica exposure; five of these were personal samples and four environmental or area samples. One of the area samples was collected in the lunchroom to verify clean eating conditions.
• Fifteen employees were evaluated for noise during this exposure assessment using Quest Edge noise dosimeters. Based on the dosimetry measurements, a few peak levels exceeding 140 decibels (dBA) were identified, with the maximum at 141.2 dBA. One employee was exposed to sound levels above the 12-hour adjusted PEL and one above the adjusted action limit of 82 dBA. Personal protective equipment is in use to prevent over exposure to employees.